✨ A Piece of Neosho History on Our Walls ✨
If you’ve strolled past The Rowe Boutique lately, you’ve probably noticed the Coca-Cola mural on our Jefferson Street building — but did you know it holds over a century of history? 🥤
This mural is actually two different hand-painted Coca-Cola ads, layered with the story of one of Neosho’s early businesses, the Carnes Company.
In the early 1910s, the original Coca-Cola sign was painted with the famous “Delicious and Refreshing” slogan, alongside the words “Carnes & Patton Horseshoeing and Repair Work.” Back then, the Carnes Company was focused on wagons and horseshoeing.
By 1916, they had shifted gears (literally!) into auto repair. A second Coca-Cola ad was added, along with a nod to Dodge Brothers Service.
When the Carnes Motor Co. expanded in 1924, those painted walls were covered — which ended up preserving them for nearly 90 years.
In 2012, when the addition was torn down, the faded signs began peeking back through. By 2023, the full murals were uncovered and sealed with UV protection, allowing us to enjoy this time capsule of advertising history today.
Even more amazing? These murals were painted by the Thomas Cusack Company, one of the nation’s leading outdoor advertising firms at the time.
So next time you stop by The Rowe Boutique, take a moment to soak in this treasure on our building. It’s not just a mural — it’s a story of Neosho’s past, preserved right here in the heart of downtown. ❤️
📍 Come shop with us, snap a selfie with the mural, and be part of the history that keeps Downtown Neosho so special!
#NeoshoHistory #TheRoweBoutique #CocaColaMural #ShopLocal